New Music Friday - July 8, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Arca - Entrañas Arca has been on a pretty consistent kick since the release of his 2014 debut album, Xen. Entrañas is a new mixtape from the Brazilian producer, and follows his 2015 album, Mutant. Featuring contributions from Massacooraman, Total Freedom, and Micachu, it precedes an additional album, supposedly set to come out sometime later this year. Watch: "Sin Rumbo" Listen: "Think Of" (featuring Mica Levi & Massacooraman)

The Julie Ruin - Hit Reset The Julie Ruin is the current project of punk singer Kathleen Hanna, who is perhaps best known as the frontwoman for Bikini Kill through the 90s. Hit Reset is the sophomore album from the band. Although the project takes its name from Hanna's 1998 solo record, the music is a true group effort between her and her bandmates. Watch: "I Decide" Watch: "I’m Done"

Roísín Murphy - Take Her Up to Monto I never thought we'd be getting another new record from Roísín Murphy so soon after the last. She released her previous record, Hairless Toys, in May of last year following a long hiatus. Although recorded during the same sessions as Hairless Toys, the music here, as the artist puts it, has an "aggressively modern aesthetic." Watch: "Ten Miles High" Listen: "Mastermind"

ScHoolboy Q - Blank Face LP With his second major label album (and fourth overall), ScHoolboy Q gets some of the biggest guest spots of his career, including Jadakiss, Miguel, and Kanye West. The artist promoted the album with a series of fake-out album covers, including "blank" versions of Michael Jordan's and Trump's faces. The album has also been supported by a series of videos forming an amazing short movie! Watch: "THat Part" (featuring Kanye West) Watch: "By Any Means"

Shura - Nothing’s Real Shura is a British singer and songwriter from Manchester who made her name creating remixes of other artists' work; something she learned to do watching videos on using music production software. She got some good attention for her work, even capturing the ears of BBC and Talib Kweli. Nothing's Real is her debut album following a long series of singles. Watch: "The Space Tapes" Watch: "What’s It Gonna Be?"

Other Full-Length Releases

The Avalanches - Wildflower Watch: "Colours" Watch: "Frankie Sinatra"

BADBADNOTGOOD - IV Watch: "Chompy's Paradise" Listen: "Time Moves Slow" (featuring Samuel Herring)

Omni - Deluxe Watch: "Afterlife" Watch: "Wire"

Wymond Miles - Call By Night Watch: "The Curse" Listen: "Summer Rains"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Alex Somers - Music from the Film Captain Fantastic Watch: "Funeral Pyre" Watch: "A New Beginning"

Brian Fresco - Casanova Listen: "Higher" (featuring Chance The Rapper & Blue Hawaii)

Gone Is Gone - Gone Is Gone EP Watch: "Stolen from Me" Watch: "Violescent"

Towkio - Community Service 2 Watch: "Playin Fair" (featuring Joey Purp) Listen: "Tear drop"

New Music Tuesday - May 12, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

This week, I will begin to try out a new format for these posts. Writing up an increasing number of releases weekly has become a time-consuming and often unrewarding (for me) process. Starting this week, I will select a number of "essential releases" for each week and provide more detailed write-ups on those, then present the remaining albums and other releases without commentary. My aim is threefold; first, I would like to re-energize myself and my blog. The second goal is to make it clearer which artists and albums I feel are a little more worth your time. Finally, I just want to get caught up.

Essential Full-Length Releases

Crocodiles - Boys Crocodiles is a lo-fi and new wave band out of San Diego, California. The band's last album, Crimes of Passion, was released in 2013, but since then, frontman Brandon Welchez released a collaborative album with Dee Dee Penny of the Dum Dum Girls (his wife) as Haunted Hearts. Now the band is back with their fifth album. Watch: "Foolin’ Around" Watch: "Crybaby Demon"

Pfarmers - Gunnera Members of The National haven't been especially active in side projects, with the exception of Bryce Dessner, who has become known as a composer. Now, drummer Bryan Devendorf is branching out on his own as well. His new projects partners him with members of Menomena, and the backing bands for St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens. Listen: "The Ol’ River Gang" Listen: "You Shall Know the Spirit"

Roísín Murphy - Hairless Toys Roísín Murphy took a long break after her last album, 2007's Overpowered. Though she began work on a new album seven years ago, and recorded many tracks, it wasn't until last year that fans got any new music from her, in the form of her 2014 EP Mi Senti. Watch: "Exploitation" Listen: "Evil Eyes"

Surfer Blood - 1000 Palms 2015 has been a bit of a tough year for Surfer Blood. While he helped on the recording of this latest album, guitarist Thomas Fekete was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. The band went forward with a supporting tour, and collected money for his treatment on the road. Some of that money, as well as equipment, was stolen while they were near Chicago. Despite these setbacks, the band continues to make great music. Watch: "I Can’t Explain" Listen: "Grand Inquisitor"

The Tallest Man on Earth - Dark Bird Is Home The Tallest Man on Earth is the stage name of Kristian Matsson, a Swedish musician of average height. I loved his sophomore album, The Wild Hunt, when it was released in 2010 and he's already released one incredible follow-up to that record. His fourth record promises to be just as amazing. Listen: "Sagres" Listen: "Dark Bird Is Home"

Other Full-Length Releases

Blanck Mass - Dumb Flesh Watch: "Dead Format" Listen: "Detritus"

Novella - Land Watch: "Land Gone" Listen: "Sentences"

Prurient - Frozen Niagara Falls Listen: "Dragonflies to Sew You Up" Listen: "Greenpoint"

Spirit Club - Spirit Club Watch: "Duster" Watch: "Still Life"

Tyondai Braxton - HIVE1 Listen: "Scout1" Listen: "Gracka"

Urban Cone - Polaroid Memories Watch: "Sadness Disease" Watch: "Come Back to Me" (featuring Tove Lo)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The 2 Bears - Bears in Space Listen: "(Space) Money Man" (featuring Stylo G) Listen: "The Night Is Slow"

Bishop Nehru - The Nehruvian EP Watch: "User$" Listen: "Bishy in Japan 16 (Knowing Nothing)"

Holy Ghost! - Work for Hire Listen: Hanni El Khatib - "Two Brothers" (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Jordan Bratton - YOUTH EP Watch: "Danger" (featuring Fabolous) Listen: "Bound"

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Quarters EP Listen: "God Is in the Rhythm" Listen: "The River"

Leonard Cohen - Can’t Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour Live Listen: "Never Gave Nobody Trouble" Listen: "Choices"

Lil Silva - Drumatic Listen: "Drumatic"

Mates of State - Greats Listen: "Palomino" Listen: "For the Actor"

Nicolas Jaar - Nymphs II Listen: "No One Is Looking at U"

Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds - "Riverman" Watch: "Riverman"

Sylvan Esso - H.S.K.T. Remix EP Watch: "H.S.K.T." Listen: "H.S.K.T." (Hercules & Love Affair Remix)

New Music Tuesday - March 17, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Marina and The Diamonds - Froot With her sophomore album, 2012's Electra Heart, Marina Diamandis seemed to be aiming for mainstream pop stardom, working with A-list producers like Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. On her follow-up, she's regaining some control over her music; she wrote and produced the album. Because of this, the album feels more personal and reflective, and might just be her best work yet! Watch: "I’m a Ruin" Watch: "Forget"

Modest Mouse - Strangers to Ourselves Although Modest Mouse has been consistently performing for more than twenty years (frequent line-up changes notwithstanding), it's been eight years since the release of their last record, We Were Dead Before This Ship Even Sank. Despite that gap, they don't seem interested in making fans wait again; two albums' worth of material was recorded during the sessions and they plan to release a follow-up as soon as they are able. Watch: "Coyotes" Watch: "Lampshades on Fire"

Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon Canadian piano-man Tobias Jesso Jr. is being hailed as a next-generation Randy Newman or Harry Nilsson. He began his career as a member of The Sessions and then as backing musician for other pop singers. He eventually embarked on his own solo career and got help from some big names for his debut. John Collins (New Pornographers), JR White (Girls), and Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) all provided production for the record. Watch: "How Could You Babe" Listen: "Hollywood"

Twin Shadow - Eclipse Artists can often be their own worst critics. Despite exceptionally well-received debut and sophomore albums, George Lewis felt his work was too elitist and wanted to make something more accessible. The result is an album void of much of the synthesizers and drum machines he has become known for. The album is also a departure for Lewis from playing the guitar. Watch: "Turn Me Up" Watch: "I’m Ready"

WAND - Golem Cory Thomas Hanson is a prolific musician who has performed with Meatbodies, together PANGEA, and as a part of Mikal Cronin's backing band. This is the second album from his band WAND, which was recorded with Chris Woodhouse in his Sacramento studio. Watch: "Flying Golem" Listen: "Reaper Invert"

Other New Releases

Bryan Ferry - "Driving Me Wild" Former Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry released his 14th studio album, Avonmore, in November of last year. "Driving Me Wild" is the fifth track on the album and the third to be released as a single, following "Johnny and Mary" and Loop De Li." Listen: "Driving Me Wild"

Catch the Throne Vol. 2 The fifth season of HBO's Game of Thrones just started and the network is releasing its second mixtape of songs written with the series as inspiration. As with the first mixtape, a wide variety of musicians are included. MNDR, Method Man, Talib Kweli, and Mastodon all contribute songs on this go-around. Listen: Mastodon - "White Walker" Listen: Talib Kweli - "Lord of the Light"

Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack The seventh movie in the long-running Fast & Furious series didn't seem like it was going to have much to make it stand out within the franchise. Unfortunately, after the accidental death of star Paul Walker, it became notable for exactly that reason, being his final film. Some of hip hop's best (and Iggy Azalea) have come together for the film's soundtrack. Watch: Kid Ink, Tyga, Wale, YG & Rich Homie - "Ride Out" Listen: Wiz Khalifa & Iggy Azalea - "Go Hard or Go Home"

Glen Hansard - It Was Triumph We Once Proposed…Songs of Jason Molina As a folk musician out of Ireland, I never would have expected for Glen Hansard to have been influenced by Jason Molina, an alternative musician from Ohio. The two had been good friends and frequent tour-mates while Jason was still living. To honor the memory of his friend, Hansard is releasing this collection of covers both of songs Molina performed solo and with his band, Songs: Ohia. Watch: "Hold on Magnolia" (Live) Listen: "Being in Love"

Gorillaz - Gorillaz Reissue Damon Albarn kicked off his second influential band in 2001 with the release of this self-titled debut. There isn't anything new with the reissue of the record, but it does come in advance of an assumed new record from the project some time later this year (Albarn is already set to release a new album with Blur later this month). Watch: "Clint Eastwood" Watch: "Rock the House"

Insurgent: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Movies based on young adult, dystopian novels seem to be all the rage these day. While The Hunger Games is the only that I have a really great interest in, I will concede that all have had impressive soundtracks associated with them. Insurgent, the sequel to last year's Divergent, is no exception. The soundtrack features new tracks from personal favorites like M83 and Lykke Li. Listen: Woodkid - "Never Let You Down" (featuring Lykke Li) Listen: M83 - "Holes in the Sky" (featuring HAIM)

Peter Doherty - "Flags of the Old Regime" Peter Doherty had been good friends with Amy Winehouse before her untimely death in 2011. Although he's known primarily for his work in the bands The Libertines and Babyshambles, he also has an active solo career. His latest release as a solo artist is a tribute to his old friend. Watch: "Flags of the Old Regime"

Roísín Murphy - "Jealousy" Roísín Murphy is getting ready to release her third album (and first in eight years) in May of this year. First, we're getting a quick single from her, two takes on the song "Jealousy," recorded especially for Crosstown Rebel Records. Listen: "Jealousy" (Disco Mix) Listen: "Jealousy" (House Mix)

Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith Another tribute to a musician who passed too soon. Folk singers Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield didn't connect much when they first met, but gradually bonded over a mutual love for the music of Elliott Smith. Together, they recorded a full album of Smith covers. Listen: "Somebody That I Used to Know" Listen: "Between the Bars"

Tinashe - Amethyst Mixtape Tinashe released her debut album, Aquarius, back in October. Like many grown adults living away from home, she returned over Christmas vacation. Unlike many other adults, she made it a productive break. The follow-up to her album was recorded in her childhood bedroom over the holiday. Listen: "Dreams Are Real" Listen: "Worth It" (featuring Iamsu!)

Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster - Scharpling & Wurster: The Best of The Best Show Jon Wurster is primarily known as drummer for Superchuck and The Mountain Goats, but he has also worked with radio host Tom Scharpling on the program, The Best Show. The show has been running for 15 years and, now, some of their best moments have been collected. Watch: The Best of The Best Show